Can you actually grow ornamental grasses inside your home? Well, the answer isn’t a simple “yes” or “no.” It really all comes down to picking the right variety. This is super important because some species, like certain types of bamboo, can skyrocket up to ten feet tall—definitely not something you want hitting your living room ceiling!
Best Varieties for Indoors
While some grasses are just too big or strictly “outdoor-only” types, there are plenty of beautiful options that feel right at home indoors. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Umbrella Papyrus (Cyperus)
- Fountain Bamboo
- Corkscrew Rush (“Liebeslocken”)
- Buddha Belly Bamboo
- Umbrella Grass
- Soft Rush
- Silver Mondo Grass
Finding the Perfect Spot
No matter which variety you fall in love with, you’re going to need to find a spot that gets plenty of sunshine. In the wild, most ornamental grasses thrive in open meadows and prairies, so they’re used to soaking up a heavy dose of daily sunlight. You’ll want to mimic that in your home. Since these plants also dislike drafty hallways and super dry air, they usually do best in humid spots like bathrooms, kitchens, or sunrooms where you can keep them in containers.
Care and Feeding
Finding the right spot is half the battle, but proper maintenance is key to keeping those blades green. It’s all about the moisture balance! On one hand, these grasses love hydration. Beyond regular watering, your plants will thank you if you mist their leaves occasionally with room-temperature, filtered water. On the other hand, don’t go overboard—ornamental grasses hate “wet feet.” If they sit in standing water, the roots can rot pretty quickly.
Spring Repotting Tips
When it comes to fertilizing, you can actually be pretty stingy. A little bit of liquid fertilizer mixed into your watering can once a month is plenty. However, you should plan on repotting your grass about every two years. This refreshes the soil and ensures the plant has enough nutrients and space to keep growing strong.
